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enNani hopeful of United return next seasonNani has not given up hope of returning to the first-team fold at Manchester United despite being sent out on loan to Sporting Lisbon this season.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/nani-hopeful-united-return
The winger's opportunitiesat Old Trafford were limited following the arrival of Louis van Gaal, but he has impressed at Sporting, scoring eight goals in 24 appearances.
While he is enjoying his football in the Primeira Liga, the Portugal international still longs to pull on the red of United again and strut his stuff in the Premier League.
"I love Manchester United," he told The Guardian. "The only decision I made was to play more and be me again, because I lost a lot of things there last season due to injuries and the change of manager.
"The new manager didn't know me well and a lot of things changed. I needed to play regularly to be happy.
"You never know the future. It depends on a lot of things. If United want me to stay then with a different mentality I think we can work well next season but there are a lot of things to discuss and see."
Van Gaal has come in for criticism this season for the style of play he has adopted at United, despite the side sitting fourth in the table.
Nani, however, understands why performances have been inconsistent.
"I am not surprised [by their performances] because it's normal when a lot of things change," he added.
"To compare with last season, we played a different system. We used to play very attacking football and we used to score a lot of goals.
"Now we are more compact, more organised,but we are not scoring goals like we used to."
news_articleThu, 26 Feb 2015 12:04:12 +0000351161 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comNani not Sportings only threat, says HeckingWolfsburg head coach Dieter Hecking will not solely focus on stopping Sporting winger Nani when the two sides meet at the Volkswagen Arena inthe UEFA Europa League on Thursday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/nani-not-sportings-only-threat-hecking
The on-loan Manchester United star has impressed in European competition this season with four goals in five games, thoughhe was unable to keep them in the Champions League.
His goalscoring exploits have dropped off in recent months, butHecking remains wary of the other attacking threats Sporting have at their disposal.
"I don't think we're going to play a special man-marking on Nani,"he said. "We will try to play our usual game style.
"We know the qualities of Nani, howeverI don't think it is possible to shut him down entirely.
"I remind you of the fantastic goal he made at Maribor, when he decided the whole game with just one scene."
Hecking is hopeful his side can reproduce the stunning form that has seen them emerge as Bayern Munich's main rivals for the Bundesliga title this season.
Goals have not been a problem – as Saturday's thrilling 5-4 win over Bayer Leverkusen showed – but Hecking would like to record aclean sheetbefore heading to Portugal next week.
"With the rule of away goals being counted double, it would be great to have a clean sheet,"he added.
"Just look at Shakhtar [Donetsk, who drew 0-0 with Bayern Munich on Wednesday] – they will arrive in Munich with a good feeling, even though they played 0-0.
"Because they have the feeling that they can always score. It's similar for me.
"We have a great team.I can't even remember the last time we didn't score in a match."
news_articleWed, 18 Feb 2015 19:00:53 +0000346384 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comNani not giving up on Old Trafford careerDespite being out on loan at Sporting Lisbon for the season, Nani harbours hopes of a return to Premier League side Manchester United.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/nani-not-giving-old-trafford-career
The winger was sent back to his homelandas part of the deal that broughtMarcos Rojo to Old Trafford last August.
A return to Sporting – where the Portugal international started out – appeared to spell the end of Nani's United career, even though he only signed a new five-year deal with the Premier League club in September 2013.
But the winger is adamant that he can force his way back into the United first team under Louis van Gaal.
When quizzed on whether he felt aggrieved with Van Gaal for sending him out on loan, Nani told BT Sport: "No. Because the club know my value and I know they want me to stay.
"It was me who made the choice to leave the club and it was a good decision by me because I knew if I stayed one more season at Old Trafford, it would be very hard for me."
Reflecting on his return to his homeland, Nani added: "I just need someone to believe in me, trust me and my qualities, and give me an opportunity to show them on the pitch.
"It's an experience I wanted a lot and needed as well because the last two seasons at Manchester United I had so many injuries and I was very upset with a lot of things that happened to me.
"I was missing my family and friends and I wanted something new. The only opportunity I had to be happy, and Manchester United to be happy as well, was this one."
news_articleSun, 25 Jan 2015 12:47:32 +0000330718 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSporting switch the right option, says NaniPortuguese winger Nani said he left Manchester United for Sporting Lisbon to regain his confidence.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/sporting-switch-right-option-nani
Nani returned to boyhood club Sporting on a season-long loan in August as Argentina international defender Marcos Rojo moved in the opposite direction in a permanent deal.
The 28-year-old Portugal international found himself down the pecking order at Old Trafford after consecutive seasons of inconsistency in Manchester.
Nani's hopes of a new start under manager Louis van Gaal were dashed when Argentinean star Angel di Maria was prised away from Real Madrid in a £59.7 million transfer.
And after returning to Old Trafford for Tuesday's friendly against Argentina, Nani said his return to Portugal was necessary.
"I saw the opportunities at United were going to be less for me so I had to make a choice," he said.
"I had been at Old Trafford for a long time, for seven years, and I think I needed a little time away to understand and find my confidence again.
"Louis van Gaal gave me the option to go. I could have stayed but I chose the best option for me at the time and I think I was right."
Nani has flourished since moving back to Lisbon, scoring five goals in all competitions for the Portuguese outfit.
"I am very happy how it is going at Sporting. That is what I wanted. I wanted to play more. I wanted to get back to my best and I wanted to enjoy my football," he said.
"That is what is happening. It is going well. It has turned out very good for me. It has made me very confident again for the future. Yes I had to get away from United to achieve this.
"I am enjoying my game again. Football is the best thing in my life. Football has given me everything and I when I play I really enjoy myself so I want to play all the time. That wasn't happening when I was at United. When I don't play I am very disappointed.
"You can accept not playing regularly for one or two years but after that when you know you have the quality to play you have to make a choice. That is what I did and it is working out well."
news_articleThu, 20 Nov 2014 01:37:56 +0000290190 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMeet the Lions hoping to help Sporting maul Chelsea - just watch out for the defenceWith Chelsea set to face Sporting in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening, Portuguese football expert Tom Kundert gives FFT the skinny on the Primeira Liga outfit...Tom Kunderthttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/meet-lions-hoping-help-sporting-maul-chelsea-just-watch-out-defence
Who are they?
Sporting have a long and proud history stretching back over a century, with 18 Portuguese titles to their name. But the Lisbon club has never recaptured the prominence of its heyday in the 1940s and 50s.
Rivals Benfica and Porto have increasingly dominated the domestic scene since then. Just two championship titles have been celebrated in the green half of Lisbon in the last 32 years (the most recent 12 years ago), which tells its own story.
Fuelled by the election of brazen young president Bruno de Carvalho in 2013, however, the club has shown stirrings of a concerted effort to recapture former glories.
If there is one thing Sporting have got right during the lean years, it is its prolific academy, responsible for producing a plethora of magnificent Portuguese players, and Carvalho based his vision for the club on utilising the latest crop of highly promising home-grown youngsters to leverage an upturn in fortunes.
Throughout last season it was common to see seven academy players in the first team, with spectacular results as the young Lions roared to a second-place finish, booking a return to the Champions League group stage after a five-year absence.
Still unbeaten, Sporting will be looking to do more than just make up the numbers in the world’s greatest club competition, while a string of young talents will be keen to shine in such a prominent shop window.
Strengths
A strong and enterprising midfield and an exciting array of attacking options make Sporting a threat to any team, even at this level.
William Carvalho’s immense strength in the holding role is complemented admirably by the all-action Adrien Silva. The superbly creative João Mário sprinkles the gold dust in a three-man midfield that many believe will soon be the basis of the Portuguese national team.
Up front things are just as exciting. Nani needs no introduction, and the 27-year-old winger has re-found his blazing form since returning to the Alvalade on loan from Manchester United.
The opposite flank is occupied by another extravagantly talented goalscoring winger, André Carrillo. The Peruvian has always had blistering pace and wonderfully skilful feet, and now in his fourth season at the club, he at last seems to have added consistency to his game.
Big Algerian striker Islam Slimani, bristling with aggression, is a real threat in the air and his brilliant World Cup campaign showed he is one for the big occasion. Carlos Mané is another exhilarating up-and-coming talent. Blessed with pace to burn, exceptional technique and the courage to take on his marker, Mané has proven a potent weapon coming off the bench.
SEE ALSO Man United reject Nani making the most of his 'second life' at Sporting
Weaknesses
Sporting’s centre-back partnership is raw and susceptible to lapses of concentration, as shown by the comical sequence of errors that led to a last-second equaliser for Maribor in the Champions League opener.
The 21-year-old Frenchman Naby Sarr has been thrown straight into the first team after the club lost both Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur) and Marcos Rojo (Manchester United) against its wishes in the summer transfer window, but Brazilian partner Maurício has managed to look even shakier. It is not difficult to imagine Diego Costa running amok should Chelsea get past the not inconsiderable midfield shield of William Carvalho.
The full-backs love to push forward to take full advantage of their excellent crossing ability, but this can leave Sporting exposed at the back, especially as neither winger is overly keen on tracking back.
The gameplan
Sporting have had a very stable system for over a season now, lining up 4-3-3 in every game, regardless of the opposition. If the match situation requires the team to chase a goal, the speedy Carlos Mané is often brought on in support of the lone striker, transforming the team into an audacious 4-2-4, but such a strategy would appear risky against a side of Chelsea’s quality.
Key player
By his own admission, William Carvalho has not been at his best in 2014/15. The holding midfielder was akin to a one-man wall in carrying out his defensive duties during a magnificent debut year last season, and he will have to be at the top of his game if Sporting are to thwart Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, Oscar and company.
SEE ALSOEverything you need to know about... William Carvalho
Quote, unquote
"As a young player with little experience, when you see players with such big reputations and who are famous the world over, it can be a little scary. But they're people, like me, and it's only a game of football. I'm just going to try and do my best. These are high-intensity, high-pressure matches. This is what we work for; all footballers want moments like this." - Sporting centre-back Naby Sarr, speaking to Footmercato.net.
Famous for…
…its Alcochete academy. Sporting have nurtured some of football’s biggest names over the past two decades, with a special predilection for wingers having spawned the likes of Luís Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani. The production line shows no signs of drying up. William Carvalho, João Mário and Carlos Mané are all tipped for a sparkling future.
Club legend
When it comes to goalscoring there is prolific and then there is just downright ridiculous. In a career spanning 1937-49, Fernando Peyroteo scored 529 goals in 327 competitive games for Sporting – and no, those figures are not the wrong way round – helping the club lift the national championship five times in the 1940s.
Sporting vs Chelsea LIVE ANALYSIS with Stats Zone
featureTue, 30 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000James Maw260803 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMan United reject Nani making the most of his second life at SportingTom Kundertruns the rule over the on-loan wingers flying start in the Portuguese capital, ahead of Tuesdays Champions League visit of Chelsea...Tom Kunderthttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/man-united-reject-nani-making-most-his-second-life-sporting
Sixty seconds into Sporting’s crunch game against Porto last Friday, Nani picks up the ball 50 yards from goal, drives past a series of challenges from panicking defenders and dinks a clever diagonal pass to the right of the box. André Carrillo crosses, Jonathan Silva heads into the net and Sporting are one goal up.
That passage of play, in one of Portuguese football’s biggest fixtures, was another demonstration of the Portugal international's soaring confidence levels.
Ten days earlier, after a dazzling display capped by a wonderful 25-yard left-footer in the Champions League at Maribor (below), Nani had said: “It’s always good to score, but what’s more important is I’m pleased to show that I’m completely integrated into the team. I feel good and I’m confident.”
In between those two games was another against Gil Vicente, and he produced another splendid goal from distance – this time with his right foot – as part of another sparkling display in a 4-0 thrashing.
False start
Seven years after a prodigiously talented 20-year-old had made the journey in the opposite direction, the deal to bring Nani back to the Alvalade from Old Trafford as part of the Marcos Rojo transfer looks like an astute piece of business by the Lisbon side. Especially as they're not paying one euro of his wages.
It didn't look that way at first, though, after a forgettable 'second debut' against Arouca in his first game back. Nani demanded the ball throughout, and when a penalty was awarded with the game still goalless he snatched the ball away from regular penalty taker Adrien Silva, and subsequently missed it. He was angry when coach Marco Silva hooked him shortly afterwards, and showed it.
Yet even in a match that did not go well for Nani, the touch, speed and technique within reach of only a chosen few was there for all to see.
The worry was that the team would be at the service of Nani, and not the other way round – at least in the mind of the player himself. Such concerns have proved unfounded. His absolute commitment in ensuing matches quickly won over team-mates and fans alike.
Nani has not been afraid to put his foot in, and his high-energy efforts have seen him permanently swapping flanks with fellow winger Carrillo, initiating intelligent combinations and regularly cutting infield where he has proven a potent threat with his fierce shooting using either foot. In short, he has become the fulcrum of Sporting’s attacking gameplan, always involved from the first to the 90th minute.
Sporting and their fans are delighted to have him, but Nani himself –and by default his parent –also stand to benefit from the player’s determination to make good on his second chance.
Queiroz approval
That's the opinion of former Manchester United assistant coach Carlos Queiroz, anyway. Talking to Portugal’s Rádio Renascença, the ex-Iran boss said: “It’s a good solution for the three parties. This opportunity is a challenge, and can act as a platform to re-launch Nani’s career to the levels of excellence that he reached in the not-too-distant past.”
Indeed, those who claim Nani is simply not good enough for the Premier League have short memories, even accounting for the fact that Nani’s star had fallen so far that few United fans bemoaned Louis van Gaal’s decision to jettison the winger as he went about rebuilding the Red Devils.
Nani’s promising early seasons in England included helping United lift the Champions League trophy in 2008, scoring a nerveless penalty in the final shootout, and a wonderful 2010/11 campaign in which he was voted the club’s player of the year by his team-mates.
“I have done my best to help the team win the league and, of course, I have been very focused on working hard and improving as a player. This has been my most consistent season for United. Every year I’ve been here I have improved and this one was fantastic for me,” he said at the time.
Unfortunately, that was as good as it got for Nani at Manchester United. A series of injuries, loss of form and intense competition for his position made him an increasingly peripheral figure at Old Trafford.
Yet just a month in Portugal appears to have helped him recapture his old swagger. Is it simply down to a lower level of competition? His performance against powerhouse Porto suggested otherwise.
More evidence that Nani has rediscovered his mojo may well be provided against Chelsea on Tuesday night in Lisbon. The more pertinent question from a United point of view, however, should be what he must now do to thrive at Old Trafford.
Portugal stalwart
The answer surely lies in showing him a little love. Like the majority of flair players, Nani needs to feel he has the full trust of his coach to perform at his best. It is significant that throughout his tribulations at United in recent seasons, Nani maintained the utmost confidence of Portugal’s national team manager, Paulo Bento, the man who launched his career at Sporting.
Nani was always the second name on Portugal’s team-sheet, regardless of the playing time he was getting in England, and captained the team in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence. Tellingly, despite his fluctuating form for United, he generally played at an excellent level when wearing his country’s shirt.
A storming season in Lisbon could yet see him return to Manchester with confidence again riding high, and him being ready to force his way back into Van Gaal’s plans. Sir Alex Ferguson certainly continues to believe in Nani’s talents. “To return to the club where he graduated is, I believe, a good choice as he would not have played regularly at United. Nani was my player for several years and I can say that he has fantastic talent.”
Sporting vs Chelsea LIVE ANALYSIS with Stats Zone
featureMon, 29 Sep 2014 17:00:00 +0000Joe Brewin260813 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comRojo pens five-year deal with Man UnitedMarcos Rojo has penned a five-year contract after completing his 20 million (16m) move from Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/rojo-pens-five-year-deal-united
United winger Nani - who signed a five-year deal himself at Old Trafford last September -has returned to his former club as part of the deal, switching to theEstadio Jose Alvalade on a season-long loan.
Both clubsconfirmed that the protracted transfer had been completed on Tuesday, withstatement a released by Sporting revealingthat Premier League giants Unitedwill make an initial downpayment of €10m, followed by further instalments of €5m on December 1 this year and July 1 2015.
The dealhad been delayed due to the complexity of third-party ownership, but the issues have now been resolved and theArgentina international defender is delighted to have finalised all the formalities.
"The Premier League is the most exciting league in the world and to have the chance to play in it for the world's biggest club is a dream for me," the 24-year-old, who caught the eye recently at the World Cup, told United's official website.
"I am young and am very keen to continue to learn the game, so playing for such an experienced technical coach as Louis van Gaal is a fantastic opportunity for me.
"I have joined United to work hard with my team-mates to win trophies and I know that the manager shares that ambition."
Rojo has become the third signing of the Louis van Gaal era.
The Dutchman enthused:"Marcos is a very gifted defender.
"He has played at the highest level in world football and can play either as a central defender or left-back.
"He has ability, physical strength and a willingness to learn that means he has a very bright future ahead of him. He had a very strong World Cup and has been playing in Europe for a couple of years now. He is a very good addition to the team."
Rojo - capped 28 times for his country - made 61 appearances in total during his two seasons atSporting, who he joined from Spartak Moscow.
news_articleWed, 20 Aug 2014 18:18:45 +0000235316 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMan United agree deal for Sportings RojoMarcos Rojo is set to complete his drawn-out move to Manchester United after a deal was agreed with Sporting Lisbon.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/breaking-united-agree-rojo-deal
United winger Nani is to return to his former club as part of the deal, moving to Estadio Jose Alvalade on a season-long loan.
news_articleTue, 19 Aug 2014 17:56:45 +0000234636 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comThe 10 best celebrations: Dives, dogs, death and dirty deedsFrom the humble handshake to intricately choreographed routines, via vein-bulging moments of spontaneity and the use of props, goal celebrations are among the games most eye-catching moments - as trumpeted in the latest issue of FourFourTwo...http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/10-best-celebrations-dives-dogs-death-and-dirty-deeds
For even more celebration lauding, including: exclusive interviews, our managerial celebration handbook, the best props, when reactions turned painful, the weird and politically wrong 'uns, get your hands on the new issue of FourFourTwo– our Season Preview!
1) Ryan Giggs vs Veet
Even Giggsy himself refers to "the rug" when reminiscing about his iconic chest-baring during the 1999 FA Cup Semi-Final. In fairness, he had good reason to let it all out after his glorious solo winner against Arsenal sent Manchester United through to the final. "Sometimes it’s hard to control yourself," he later admitted to FFT. "I lost all feeling at the time and I just decided to whip my top off to go and celebrate. A few people gave me a bit of stick for my hairy chest but I just about got away with it because the goal was such a good one." Amen to that.
2) Jimmy Bullard vs Phil Brown
Club jester Jimmy Bullard provided the chuckles with his Phil Brown micky-taking at Manchester City in 2009, in honour of his manager's bizarre on-pitch team talk of the previous campaign. Luckily for Tigers players, their pre-meditated plan was able to unfold after Bullard tucked away an 82nd-minute penalty in the 1-1 draw. Sadly for them, boss Brown didn't even see it. "I actually missed the celebration at the time because I was trying to do a bit of a tactical re-jig," claimed the tanned Tynesider. "I only saw it when our analysis guy showed it to me on the laptop at the end of the game." Wasted.
3) Diego Maradona vs Klinsmann
Up next is Diego Maradona bringing you the famous Thank-God-For-That. It tends to come at a vital point in a match, and its key practitioners are hotheaded maniacs who don’t give a monkeys about losing their cool. El Diego was never a mild-mannered celebrator as a player, and his managerial joy was equally unconfined when Argentina scored against Peru in 2010, upon which he performed a jump-and-slide onto his belly that was as perfectly executed as most of his dribbles.
Skip to 17 secs for Diego's swallow dive4) Stjarnan vs Captain Birdseye
Passion andspontaneity have made for some of football's most iconic celebrations, but it's hard not to admire some carefully tuned choreography. Johann Laxdall helped put former club Stjarnan on the map in 2010, when the Icelandic side's fisherman routine went viral.
"I think a goal celebration means more if it has a bit of meaning to it," he told FFT. "We came up with it after one of the boys had been a fishing trip with his father. People were always saying to us ‘it must take hours to put these things together’ but it didn’t –in fact we didn’t practice at all, we just made sure that everyone knew their role. By the end we had people from around the world sending us celebration ideas, it was crazy." Since then they've managed to squeeze in bikes, rowing boats and ballroom dancing.
5) Cristiano Lucarelli vsinhibitions
Journeyman striker Cristiano Lucarelli’s love of hometown club Livorno is no secret: he’s got the tattoo, is pals with the ultras, and rejected several lucrative offers to stay with theAmaranto. Loving the shirt is one thing, but making love to it? After netting against Piacenza in 2007, he took off his jersey, laid it carefully on the turf, and proceeded to commit what a court of law might call “a lewd act” upon it. We get the point, Luca...
6) Facundo Sava vs fashion
When Fulham boss Jean Tigana splashed £2m on a little-known Argentine in 2002, Cottagers fans didn't have much idea of what to expect. What they might have anticipated, though, was the striker's fabled goal celebration– a Zorro mask pulled from his sock. Sava didn't whip out the headgear for his first goal, a dramatic late leveller against Middlesbrough, on account of leaving his 250-strong collection back home in Argentina. It'd take him another eight games before he could against Charlton, but he saved his best for a brace against Liverpool with a custom-made Cottagers mask (below). Aww.
7) Finidi George vs K-9
There’s nothing not to like about a man pretending to be a dog, and Nigeria’s Finidi George did the definitive impression having popped home a sublime chip against Greece at USA '94. He falls to his knees, waddles along on all fours, and then cocks a leg to mark his territory. No explanation has ever been offered, and for us, none is required.
8) Nani vs gravity
They don't always go to plan (as Celestine Babayaro and Lomana LuaLua have both discovered), but there's much to enjoy about an acrobatic celebration. And there aren't too many who can pull one off better than Manchester United wingman Nani, whose cartwheel-backflip is quite the sight. Even former Great Britain gymnast Beth Tweddle was impressed, giving the Portuguese preener a 9/10 in our latest issue. "He’s streets ahead of the rest," purred the retired flexer. "I’m guessing he has some kind of gymnastic background because his technique is good too. He has a variety of elements in his round-off full twist but he does them with ease."
9) Martin Palermo vs concrete
Villarreal forward Martin Palermo could hardly foresee the impending doom as he slotted home a late winner for El Submarino Amarillo against Levante in a 2001 Copa del Rey fixture. The Argentine sprinted up to his delirious supporters, who were pouring towards a small concrete wall – which promptly collapsed. Palermo broke his leg in two places, was out for a couple of months and lost form, missing the 2002 World Cup as a result. No wonder they called him Loco.
10) Medina De La Mora vs morals
Can a goal celebration be used as a piece of haunting commentary about man’s inhumanity to man? The answer, of course, is no, which is why Chivas Guadalajara players Alberto Medina and Marco Fabian de la Mora were ill-advised to perform a mock gangland execution in a country ripped apart by drug-cartel violence. The berks, who were in the process of beating Estudiantes 5-2 in October 2011, were heavily fined, and made an apologetic donation to an orphanage.
featureThu, 07 Aug 2014 11:50:55 +0000Joe Brewin225839 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comNani refuses to rule out a return to PortugalManchester United winger Nani has refused to rule out a return to his native Portugal and revealed clubs are chasing his services.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/nani-refuses-rule-out-portugal-return
Nani penned a new five-year contract inSeptember 2013, buthas fallen out of favour at Old Trafford, makingjust 14 Premier League starts in the last two seasons.
The 27-year-old, who joined United from Sporting Lisbon in2007,could now be set tomove on,with the likes of Arsenal and Juventus linked with the Portugal international.
Nani could also return home and isquoted as saying in The Guardian: "I'm a United player but there has been some interest on my behalf.
"I will evaluate it and decide what is the most advantageous for me.
"A return to Portugal? Right now I don't know."
Nani started all three of Portugal's matches at the FIFA World Cup, scoring in a 2-2 draw with the United States.
Portugal failed to make it through the group stages though, finishing third in Group G behind Germany and the USA.
news_articleFri, 27 Jun 2014 11:32:08 +0000201967 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comNani: Ronaldo relaxed over injury worriesPortugal winger Nani claims team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo is relaxed amid injury fears ahead of the FIFA World Cup.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/nani-ronaldo-calm-over-injury-worries
The Portugal Football Federation confirmed the Real Madrid star was suffering with a "muscle injury on the back of his left thigh as well as left-leg patellar tendonitis" on Tuesday.
Ronaldo's absence at the competition would represent a major blow to Portugal's chances of reaching the latter stages but Nani says the FIFA Ballon d'Or winner is "relaxed".
The Manchester United man also sought to play down the impact Ronaldo's potential absence would have on their hopes in Brazil.
"We hope that Cristiano is in good enough shape to play - and to help the team," he said.
"(Ronaldo) is going well, and he is relaxed about it... things are going the right way.
"If for some reason (Ronaldo) is not there, whoever is there playing has to be confident in their ability to get the job done.
"The World Cup is a one-of-a-kind challenge. I want to be fully fit, and in top form alongside my team-mates. I could not be there last time, but happily, I am here now."
A succesful World Cup in Brazil would cap off another impressive season for Ronaldo, who was crowned the world's best player in January before winning the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League with Real.
news_articleWed, 04 Jun 2014 08:57:54 +0000185869 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAgent: Man United winger likely to leaveManchester United winger Nani is set to leave to the club this summer, with his agent revealing that Fiorentina and other Serie A sides are vying for his signature.Cronan Yuhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/agent-man-united-winger-likely-leave
Despite signing a new five-year deal last September, the Portugal international has only made five Premier League starts under David Moyes, and is understood to be frustrated with the lack of opportunities at Old Trafford. Ashley Young is often preferred at his expense.
However, agent Andrea Pastorello believes the financial situations of several Italian clubs may prove to be an obstacle.
"Nani is a very important player and at this time the only thing I can say is that he is likely to leave Manchester," he toldViolanews.com.
"The problem for Fiorentina and other Italian clubs is the player’s salary. But we will evaluate all bids.
"Our relationship with United is great. Fiorentina have to speak with Manchester United about Anderson [who is on loan from the Reds to the Florence club], and maybe there will be an opportunity to talk about Nani too."
Since his transfer to Old Trafford back in 2007, Nani has failed to reach the lofty heights expected of him. This term the 27-year-old has made 11 appearances in all competitions, scoring once in the 5-0 demolition of Bayer Leverkusen.
news_articleTue, 08 Apr 2014 11:49:32 +0000Joe Brewin150836 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comHamstrung Nani suffers injury setbackManchester United winger Nani is some way off returning to action from his hamstring injury, the club have confirmed.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/nani-suffers-injury-blow
The Portugal international has not been named in a matchday squad since the League Cup win over Stoke on December 18, having sustained the problem in training.
He will be unavailable for David Moyes for the forseeable future, although the United manager expects defender Rafael to return soon.
"Nani has got a hamstring injury which is probably going to keep him out for quite a while," he told the club's official website.
"It's a serious hamstring injury that he picked up in training.
"I don't think Rafa is too far away, though, as his injury isn't too serious. Hopefully, we're beginning to get one or two back."
Rafael was withdrawn after 18 minutes of United's 3-2 victory against Hull City in the Premier League on December 26.
news_articleSat, 04 Jan 2014 14:11:40 +0000100763 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMoyes reveals Nani out with hamstring injuryManchester United manager David Moyes has revealed Nani is facing a few weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/moyes-reveals-nani-setback
The Portuguese has been an unused substitute in two of United's last three matches, including Wednesday's League Cup quarter-final win at Stoke City, but is unlikely to take the field again until the new year.
In his press conference on Friday, Moyes said: "Nani has got a hamstring injury and we were worried about that. It's worse than we hoped so that might well keep him out for a few weeks."
Moyes is confident his squad has the necessary depth to cope with the busy schedule Premier League teams face over the coming fortnight.
"The players have done really well," the Scot added.
"That is why there is such a good squad and a big squad here because throughout the season, the amount of games we have to play here, you do need those extra players.
"We have seen recently, in the last couple of games, we have been a little bit short in areas but the players who have come in have done brilliantly well.
"We have needed the whole squad, we really have.
"Bringing Darren Fletcher back into it as well (following his lengthy lay-off with a bowel condition) has given everybody a lift."
United's victory over Stoke represented the reigning league champions' third in succession following back-to-back defeats at home to Everton and Newcastle United.
"We've had three wins and three clean sheets from the past three games – I'm really pleased," Moyessaid.
"We are getting into our stride and that's exactly what I want. Putting runs together is normal at Manchester United."
news_articleFri, 20 Dec 2013 15:01:34 +000096096 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comNo regrets for Nani over contract extensionManchester United midfielder Nani is ready to battle for a starting berth after penning a new deal with the Premier League champions.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/no-regrets-nani-over-contract-extension
The Portugal international has been at the club since 2007 but has seen his first-team opportunities dwindle, with just seven league starts to his name in last seasons title-winning campaign.
Speculation had been rife that he would look elsewhere for first-team football, but the 26-year-old signed fresh terms last Thursday, agreeing a five-year contract at Old Trafford.
He is now ready for the challenge of making himself a regular under manager David Moyes.
I am very content with my new deal at Manchester United, he told The Daily Mirror.
This summer was not easy but after a lot of thought and talking to David Moyes, I believe it was the best solution.
I feel I can offer many things to United. I had other important offers but without a sufficient challenge to make me want to leave United.
The coach would not guarantee me a place in the XI more than any other player. I know I must work hard to get into this team.
That is my objective for this season.
He will now hope to impress Moyes if given the opportunity against Crystal Palace on Saturday, having featured in the sides 1-0 loss to Liverpool on September 1.
news_articleMon, 09 Sep 2013 12:05:06 +000055524 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com